House of Commons host Adjournment debate on tourism VAT reduction

On the 21st of November, Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, called for an adjournment debate regarding the level of VAT on tourist related services in the UK. The debate featured MPs from across the whole of the UK, including DUP members in Northern Ireland, members from the tourist regions Devon and Somerset, and…..Read more

Budget announcement provides update on tourism related VAT in Northern Ireland

Following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget announcement, the CTV campaign received clarification on the legislative framework prohibiting the reduction of tourism VAT in Northern Ireland, as well as positive news on how the government will move forward on the issue of tourist related VAT. The Budget report stated that under EU law, it is…..Read more

Shadow Foreign Secretary calls on the government to reduce Tourism VAT

A prominent frontbench Labour MP has voiced her support for a reduction in tourism-related VAT. Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times during the Labour Party Conference, the Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry emphasised the need to help struggling tourist services in the UK, and highlighted how the government had negotiated a cut in tourism…..Read more

Republic of Ireland reveal increase in tourism-related VAT

Following the announcement of the Republic of Ireland’s 2019 Budget, there has been a backlash from the tourism industry against the rise in VAT on tourism-related services from 9% to 13.5%. In his budget address, Minister for Finance claimed that a review of the cut to 9% in order to stimulate the tourism industry in…..Read more

New Campaign research shows benefits of VAT reduction

The Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT has produced new figures showing the remarkable economic case for a reduction in VAT on tourism. The UK is one of only three European countries to not reap the benefits of a reduced rate of VAT for tourism, and at 20% has a rate almost double the European average.…..Read more

All eyes on the Budget as tourism VAT consultation closes

Following the end of the Government’s consultation period on VAT on tourism in Northern Ireland earlier this month, the Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT, and the wider tourism industry, wait to see if a reduction for Northern Ireland will be included in the Chancellor’s Budget in the autumn. A cut would be a major victory…..Read more